Federal Protections Against

Discrimination and Sexual Harassment 

            Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 provides federal protection to employees.  If an employer discriminates against an employee because of a protected characteristic of the employee, the employee can bring an action against the employer under this chapter.  In general, an employer cannot discriminate against an employee based on the employee’s gender, race, national origin, age, religion, or disability. 

            If you believe that an employer has discriminated against you because of your gender, race, national origin, age, religion, or disability, you MUST file a charge of discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) within 300 days of the wrongful conduct.  If you do not, you will be barred from bringing a lawsuit.  In Texas, you can file both a state and federal charge of discrimination with the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC).  If you are alleging violation of the Texas Labor Code, the state charge of discrimination must be filed within 180 days of the wrongful conduct.

            Federal employees have only 45 days to file a charge of discrimination.  Federal employees generally have an on-site EEO officer, however, if you do not, you must file your charge of discrimination with the EEOC within 45 days of the discrimination.

            Employers with less than 15 employees are not subject to Title VII.  Additionally, damage awards available to employees are based on the size of the employer.